I love my new 81 coupe

boeing46

boeing46

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
45
Location
southern California
I know the 81 is underpowered but i love the lines on it. It is the original black paint and i could shave to the reflection. It's a 4 speed and runs real good. I always wanted a Vette and a Harley. The car need a little of this and a little of that. Beings that it runs so good the little projects can be don at my leisure. I've had some nice hot rods in my day but I've never driven a car that is so much fun.
Every time i pull off the cover i get a great big smile. If the engine ever goes I'll put in a crate long block 383 with the extras.
If i had more HP i can see the tickets already. I was fortunate enough to get this one as the previous owner took good care of it and had the interior redone in leather front to back.
How do change the headlight pull switch? I wish it had power seats and cruise control, but ya can't have everything. I am a happy camper but i have to have all work done by a Corvette place because of a rel bad back.
Mike in Southern Cal.
 

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That's a nice flying machine, a tad LO for a Boeing, NO???

Welcome to the motley crew of the Flying Dutchmen....

:beer::1st:
 
Hey Mike... I feel the same way about my '82!

Love the look, the lines, the color, the whole package.

Welcome to VM..............:1st:
 
Nice!! Couple of guys here have 81's so you are not alone.

Are you wanting to change the headlight switch or just the knob?
 
boeing46 said:
I know the 81 is underpowered but i love the lines on it. It is the original black paint and i could shave to the reflection. It's a 4 speed and runs real good. I always wanted a Vette and a Harley. The car need a little of this and a little of that. Beings that it runs so good the little projects can be don at my leisure. I've had some nice hot rods in my day but I've never driven a car that is so much fun.
Every time i pull off the cover i get a great big smile. If the engine ever goes I'll put in a crate long block 383 with the extras.
If i had more HP i can see the tickets already. I was fortunate enough to get this one as the previous owner took good care of it and had the interior redone in leather front to back.
How do change the headlight pull switch? I wish it had power seats and cruise control, but ya can't have everything. I am a happy camper but i have to have all work done by a Corvette place because of a rel bad back.
Mike in Southern Cal.
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Welcome Mike. I have a Black 81 as well, and live in Anaheim. Bring it over one weekend, and I'll change the switch for you.
As for the 383 Idea, it will never pass smog, but there are tricks to help the stocker run better.
 
Welcome aboard Mike;
My 81 is under construction still. The late C3's are my fav too for the same reasons. If you look around some you can find the seat pan for power seat. It plugs in under the dash thru an aux harness thats easily fabbed, Bird man can do that too.
Cruise is easily added also with an aftermarket kit. Factory style can be done but requires disassembling the steering column. I wouldn't go that rout unless I had to.
 
6', Danny, U been workin' on that car for some 5 years, well, actually you NOT been workin' on that car or it would be done now.....:shocking:

Might I suggest actually WORKING on it, instead of walking AROUND it???:bestwishes::waxer::yahoo::goodnight:
 
Big2bird,
The knob is missing on the light switch. I put the one on the winshield washer because it was just a push on type.
The headlight stem is missing the knob and the one i got from Ecklers has the knob glued on the stem. With my bad back it looks like allot of stuff has to be removed from the dash to install the new stem.
I have a couple other i have to get missing on the steering column.
I think my email is on my profile thing but i'll check.
I go to the car show downtown Garden Grove almost every Friday. I won't enter it as stock until i get everything done so i park on the east side of of downtown.
If ya haven't been there it's just a friendly lil show every Friday.
Hope to hear from ya.
Mike
 
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If you can remove the AC vent under the steering column, you probably can reach the light switch. There is a button on the top that you need to push in, to insert the stem. The easiest way would be to remove the speedo cluster to gain easier access, so you can see what you are doing. Be careful with those old headlight switches when you turn the dimmer all of the way down. Mine started smoking, and almost caught on fire. You can ask Bird about them.

I am partial to the 81 & 82 body style, since I have an 82.
 
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